WARRINGTON Wolves were unable to make it an Easter weekend double as in-form Castleford Tigers hit the 40-point mark to seal a comfortable home victory.

Wolves disposed of Widnes on Good Friday, but despite a bright opening 10 minutes for the visitors the Tigers were in control at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle in Super League Round 10.

Michael Shenton helped himself to a hat-trick, James Clare scored twice, while Jamie Ellis and Richard Owen also touched down to cancel out Michael Monaghan’s first half try.

Wolves looked keen to get the ball in the hands of Kevin Penny as early as possible with even lightening quick full back Matty Russell handing possession to the incoming winger.

Tony Smith’s side nearly profited from this tactic four minutes in when Michael Monaghan picked up at dummy half and floated a miss pass to the former Wolves academy man, who was only stopped in the corner by a superb covering tackle from Tigers’ Jordan Tansey.

The hosts threatened after a miss pass of their own three minutes later, this time unintentionally as Jamie Ellis and Scott Wheeldon moved the ball through hands and for the final pass to hit the deck and trickle into Tansey’s grasp.

Wolves boasted a back line packed with pace and a clever Trent Waterhouse offload sent Ryan Atkins on a jinking run, only for Monaghan to knock on and return possession to Castleford.

Tigers’ build-up however was slower and again they moved the ball through hands before taking the tackle. They were able to utilise the space out wide in the 13th minute and an overhead pass from Michael Shenton allowed Clare to dive over from close range in the corner.

The left-footed Marc Sneyd converted from a tight angle.

The score knocked the momentum out of Wolves, who were the undoing of their own attacks with Atkins and Ben Harrison pulled up for crossing and passes dropped aplenty.

But inside 22 minutes they pulled level, skipper Monaghan charged down Sneyd’s kick and it bounced favourably for him to sprint 30 metres and score his second try of the campaign.

Castleford enjoyed a period of sustained pressure on the half hour, but after Nathan Massey collected Daryl Clark’s pass he spilled the ball in a tackle close to the posts.

Replacement Clark was involved again moments later when he broke through two tackles before feeding Ellis as Wolves scampered back to recover.

But the home side were able to keep the move alive and as Sneyd drew close to the line on the last tackle he delivered a clever grubber kick that Shenton dived for to touch down. Sneyd added the extras.

Then on the 40-minute marker Tigers were able to break free again and a superb run from Frankie Mariano saw him offload to Shenton, who had the power to take Scotland international Russell over the line with him. Sneyd again converted from a tight angle.

Two minutes into the second half Wolves thought theh had narrowed the deficit when pouncing on Ratchford’s bomb that was bouncing around the in-goal area.

But Rhys Evans had collided with a Castleford defender while the ball was in the air and referee Richard Silverwood pulled the game back to award possession to the Tigers.

Substitute Ben Currie did well to stop Tigers increasing their advantage from another Sneyd grubber, ripping his shirt in the process but stopping a certain try.

It was from Currie’s intervention that Wolves made their way down field and Ratchford found Russell and the full back tip-toed through before releasing Rhys Evans.

But, playing in the centres, Evans spilled the ball in the tackle and Tigers’ full back Tansey collected to sprint 70 metres, escaping the reaches of half back Ratchford and only feeding Ellis once he ran out of steam.

The hosts kept the momentum with neat hands eventually allowing Clare to dive over in the left hand corner, the kick proved too narrow an angle for even the in-form Sneyd this time.

However, two minutes later on 53 minutes Sneyd was given a simple conversion when another quick Cas move saw Weller Harauki feed scrum half Ellis, who scooted over from 10 metres out.

On the hour-mark Tigers increased their lead further as Ashley Gibson hit a gap on the right and found Owen on the overlap to stretch out and touch down in the corner despite the attentions of Wolves’ defence. Sneyd curled over the extras.

The move had started with Shenton breaking clear and when Russell’s tap tackle brought down the leggy back the Tigers were able to move the ball wide through hands at speed.

With 71 minutes on the clock Wolves' best chance of the half passed, Gareth O’Brien, influential in the win against Widnes on Easter Friday, for the first time found space to deliver a grubber that bounced high towards Chris Hill.

However, Hill could only parry the loose ball into the hands of Currie standing in the in-goal area and despite touching down the try was ruled out.

With five minutes remaining things got worse for Wolves when Shenton joined the line at speed to break through any would-be Warrington tacklers and dart over for his hat-trick, Sneyd converted.

Comments (19)

Here's another team that are going to finish well above the Wolves. A top 8 finish could well be a pipe dream. Staying in Super League should now be the priority. Let's concentrate on trying to beat London, Bradford and Wakefield. That might just get us enough points!!! Massive clear out needed to reach the heights of the last few years....starting at the top.

Here's another team that are going to finish well above the Wolves. A top 8 finish could well be a pipe dream. Staying in Super League should now be the priority. Let's concentrate on trying to beat London, Bradford and Wakefield. That might just get us enough points!!! Massive clear out needed to reach the heights of the last few years....starting at the top.realistic southstander

Whatever the merits of playing two games in 3 days the performance today was very poor. The other top teams have coped with the same situation. We do not expect to win every game but at least to put in a performance. This season we are totally lacking in quality and we should have signed at least two more players, it is great to see the younger players given there chance but we needed experience players as well. We are sadly lacking in pace and have been all season, our defence and attack has been shocking and if we play like this on Sunday then we could certainly struggle against Doncaster.

Whatever the merits of playing two games in 3 days the performance today was very poor. The other top teams have coped with the same situation. We do not expect to win every game but at least to put in a performance. This season we are totally lacking in quality and we should have signed at least two more players, it is great to see the younger players given there chance but we needed experience players as well. We are sadly lacking in pace and have been all season, our defence and attack has been shocking and if we play like this on Sunday then we could certainly struggle against Doncaster.keithr21

Clueless, I am referring to Tony Smith and the team he has assembled. I believe its time both Smith at the Wire and Moyes at UTD were both turning up at the job centre and claiming "Job Seekers allowance". I also think pound-land are recruiting.

Clueless, I am referring to Tony Smith and the team he has assembled. I believe its time both Smith at the Wire and Moyes at UTD were both turning up at the job centre and claiming "Job Seekers allowance". I also think pound-land are recruiting.tangerinewire

The old chants are returning to the terraces and I am embarressed this season by the comments from other teams supporters who just dont understand how Wire have dived so quickly. Ratchford although unfair to single him out, did not run at the line once today setting up O'Brien and the centres to heavy tackles. Also after all the anti Myler comments, Cas would not have run through him in the same way as they did Ratchford today. The blame is not the players it is the coaching and lack of basic skills. TS Cas had a three day turnaround, and have far fewer resources than us, but wow did they run well and pass accurately. Penny did fine,well done to him but the rest of them looked lost. God help us if Michael Monaghan leaves, no go forward and and holes down the middle. There were more Wire fans in the chippy than the ground with ten minutes to go!

The old chants are returning to the terraces and I am embarressed this season by the comments from other teams supporters who just dont understand how Wire have dived so quickly. Ratchford although unfair to single him out, did not run at the line once today setting up O'Brien and the centres to heavy tackles. Also after all the anti Myler comments, Cas would not have run through him in the same way as they did Ratchford today. The blame is not the players it is the coaching and lack of basic skills. TS Cas had a three day turnaround, and have far fewer resources than us, but wow did they run well and pass accurately. Penny did fine,well done to him but the rest of them looked lost. God help us if Michael Monaghan leaves, no go forward and and holes down the middle. There were more Wire fans in the chippy than the ground with ten minutes to go!pennstate

Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.

Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.Mattwolf

Mattwolf wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.

Totally agree,we can't sign NRL stars now as their salary cap is much larger now,we need to be patient.TS is the man,think we have to accept it will be a bit of a mercurial season

[quote][p][bold]Mattwolf[/bold] wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.[/p][/quote]Totally agree,we can't sign NRL stars now as their salary cap is much larger now,we need to be patient.TS is the man,think we have to accept it will be a bit of a mercurial seasondnk

What a load of rubbish today and similar to others this season, it's going to be a long hard season for the die hards.
I already believe we will really struggle to make the top eight as with the six senior players who are now busted and out for a considerable amount of time we were poor but without them and now having no option but to play fringe/ young players who have not been blooded we will be far worse off.
The club should of invested in a couple more new players in the close season, we have gone from having an experienced large squad to a young paper thin squad in 12 months... too sudden of a change as the younger players are just not ready for week in week out SL. We didn't need to sign NRL stars as teams like Castleford and others haven't but I do feel the club have made a big mistake by not bring in a couple more players in their prime and its too late now.

Come on the Wire, buck up fast.

What a load of rubbish today and similar to others this season, it's going to be a long hard season for the die hards.
I already believe we will really struggle to make the top eight as with the six senior players who are now busted and out for a considerable amount of time we were poor but without them and now having no option but to play fringe/ young players who have not been blooded we will be far worse off.
The club should of invested in a couple more new players in the close season, we have gone from having an experienced large squad to a young paper thin squad in 12 months... too sudden of a change as the younger players are just not ready for week in week out SL. We didn't need to sign NRL stars as teams like Castleford and others haven't but I do feel the club have made a big mistake by not bring in a couple more players in their prime and its too late now.
Come on the Wire, buck up fast.WiresVoyager_Paul

Mattwolf wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.

Well said! I completely agree.

[quote][p][bold]Mattwolf[/bold] wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.[/p][/quote]Well said! I completely agree.Paris

Mattwolf wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.

I have said this since the first game of the season

[quote][p][bold]Mattwolf[/bold] wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.[/p][/quote]I have said this since the first game of the seasonMike5608

Mattwolf wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.

I have said this since last year? Look what he did at Leeds in 06 onwards

[quote][p][bold]Mattwolf[/bold] wrote:
Honestly, can't believe these comments. Have a clear out etc, Tony smith is the best thing to happen to warrington for 40 years. He is setting us up for the next 10-15 years at least. We can't just go and sign anyone, youth is the future. Imports aren't. We lost most of our team from last year, believe in mr smith and his team. Some fans have only known success, Ive watched them through thick and thin, seen the bad times, enjoyed the good, nothing lasts forever.Sometimes you have to step back to go forward. Long term planning is the answer not short term signings. Also no team playing away today has performed to their normal standard. Have faith, we don't have a right to win every game, be patient. Just my honest view.[/p][/quote]I have said this since last year? Look what he did at Leeds in 06 onwardsMike5608

realistic southstander wrote:
I believe that Mr Smith did actually approach the board to consider going into the transfer market but was knocked back. He then offered to resign but this was also refused???

Not sure about that one,.
I don't think people have actually credited how good Cas were yesterday,...all 17 played for each other. There are some rather large cracks showing up at warrington at the moment....injuries, moral, players playing out of position. Our pack isn't strong enough, so it makes the backs jobs a lot tougher. Also the HB are inexperienced (apart from Myler) they're learning through mistakes, which results in a loss...moral & confidence drop.
I think we need to sign a couple of big aggressive forwards, not aging Aussies over here for a holiday, give the backs some space to start attacking instead of constantly having to defend.
Last point...before the season started I would have put money on MM being an excellent captain/leader but unfortunately I'm starting to change my mind.

[quote][p][bold]realistic southstander[/bold] wrote:
I believe that Mr Smith did actually approach the board to consider going into the transfer market but was knocked back. He then offered to resign but this was also refused???[/p][/quote]Not sure about that one,.
I don't think people have actually credited how good Cas were yesterday,...all 17 played for each other. There are some rather large cracks showing up at warrington at the moment....injuries, moral, players playing out of position. Our pack isn't strong enough, so it makes the backs jobs a lot tougher. Also the HB are inexperienced (apart from Myler) they're learning through mistakes, which results in a loss...moral & confidence drop.
I think we need to sign a couple of big aggressive forwards, not aging Aussies over here for a holiday, give the backs some space to start attacking instead of constantly having to defend.
Last point...before the season started I would have put money on MM being an excellent captain/leader but unfortunately I'm starting to change my mind.Crofty11

The comments above are generally well thought through and now I wonder if there is more to the problems at Warrington than we know. The season end must have reduced costs considerably so why would TS not invest in new talent, if able to. The decline is clear to everyone including the directors and I cant see it getting any better his year. TS does not help himself in interviews appearing oblivious to what is happening.
The point of preseason Australia must be questioned and I don't care about the politics of the Super League,TS should focus on our team and improving their skills, thats what he is paid for. Moran was the best thing that happened to us, I just wonder if he is also losing interest. Because no matter what anyone thinks, the fun of watching the wire has slipped badly in the last 18 months.

The comments above are generally well thought through and now I wonder if there is more to the problems at Warrington than we know. The season end must have reduced costs considerably so why would TS not invest in new talent, if able to. The decline is clear to everyone including the directors and I cant see it getting any better his year. TS does not help himself in interviews appearing oblivious to what is happening.
The point of preseason Australia must be questioned and I don't care about the politics of the Super League,TS should focus on our team and improving their skills, thats what he is paid for. Moran was the best thing that happened to us, I just wonder if he is also losing interest. Because no matter what anyone thinks, the fun of watching the wire has slipped badly in the last 18 months.pennstate

What we desperately need is a respected organiser on the field. Once we have that, the weak links can be identified properly. Losing a good few players doesn't help, but losing Briers was unforeseen.

What we desperately need is a respected organiser on the field. Once we have that, the weak links can be identified properly. Losing a good few players doesn't help, but losing Briers was unforeseen.grey-area

TO SCORE ONLY 1 TRY AND THAT FROM A CHARGE DOWN SHOWS WE ARE LACKING IN THE HALF BACK DEPARTMENT RATCHFORD IS AN OUTSTANDING PLAYER BUT NOT A NO 6 TRY PUTTING BRIDGE IN AT STAND OFF AND RATCHFORD IN THE CENTRE OR LOOSE FORWARD TO SEE HOW IT GOES TILL WE CAN GET SOME KIND OF TEAM BACK ON THE PARK WE WILL COME THROUGH THIS AND HAVE AND OUTSTANDING TEAM OF YOUNG PLAYERS GIVEN TIME BE PATIENT WE ARE REBUILDING COME ON THE WIRE

TO SCORE ONLY 1 TRY AND THAT FROM A CHARGE DOWN SHOWS WE ARE LACKING IN THE HALF BACK DEPARTMENT RATCHFORD IS AN OUTSTANDING PLAYER BUT NOT A NO 6 TRY PUTTING BRIDGE IN AT STAND OFF AND RATCHFORD IN THE CENTRE OR LOOSE FORWARD TO SEE HOW IT GOES TILL WE CAN GET SOME KIND OF TEAM BACK ON THE PARK WE WILL COME THROUGH THIS AND HAVE AND OUTSTANDING TEAM OF YOUNG PLAYERS GIVEN TIME BE PATIENT WE ARE REBUILDING COME ON THE WIREJMB Old Hall

I know its irrelevant, but we did score 3 tries in total...the 2 disallowed tries both came from kicks from O'Brien, 1 ruled off from a knock on from Hill & the other from obstruction by REvans. As I said at the end of the day irrelevant as it still wouldn't of been enough but it 'may' of changed the game.
I have to agree Ratchford is wasted at stand off & thought he was going to be Hodgsons replacement but the Russell came along...& I'll probably get shot down for this but I prefer Ratchford at fullback than Russell, just think his style of play suited Warrington better, but with Russell signing a contract extension that isnt going to happen, so the team needs to adapt.
Penny also got close to scoring, tackled right in the corner from Tansey (I think) maybe if Ormsby had been playing he would of been strong enough to get over the line????? Trying to see the positives from Sunday.

I know its irrelevant, but we did score 3 tries in total...the 2 disallowed tries both came from kicks from O'Brien, 1 ruled off from a knock on from Hill & the other from obstruction by REvans. As I said at the end of the day irrelevant as it still wouldn't of been enough but it 'may' of changed the game.
I have to agree Ratchford is wasted at stand off & thought he was going to be Hodgsons replacement but the Russell came along...& I'll probably get shot down for this but I prefer Ratchford at fullback than Russell, just think his style of play suited Warrington better, but with Russell signing a contract extension that isnt going to happen, so the team needs to adapt.
Penny also got close to scoring, tackled right in the corner from Tansey (I think) maybe if Ormsby had been playing he would of been strong enough to get over the line????? Trying to see the positives from Sunday.Crofty11